Here are all 57 Regional Development and Planning questions asked in UPSC Geography Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 6 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.
Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.
8.1] Experience of regional planning in India; Five Year Plans
7 questions
City-regions as territorial unit for regional planning and development. [2013/10m/150w/5a]
Examine the relationship between geography and regional planning. [2005/60m/7]
Discuss the experience of regional planning in India in the context of the National Capital Region. [2005/60m/8]
Examine the regional development policy of India in various Five Year Plans. [2004/60m/8]
Present an account of the experience of regional planning in India in the context of Damodar Valley. [2003/60m/7]
Draw a sketch map of India showing major river basins. Examine the feasibility of the concept of river basins as a planning unit. [1997/60m/7]
Give the hierarchy of planning regions and bring out the role of metropolitan planning in fostering regional development in India. [1995/60m/8]
8.2] Integrated rural development programmes
2 questions
Discuss the objectives of ‘Vision 2020’ in creation of viable village complex in India for ‘Inclusive Rural Development’ programme. (150 words) [2013/15m/150w/7c]
Discuss the policies and programmes of Integrated Rural Development Programmes in India. [2007/20m/200w/5a]
8.3] Panchayati Raj and decentralised planning; multi-level planning
15 questions
Discuss how Panchayati Raj institutions play a crucial role in the empowerment of women in India. [2026/10m/5c]
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act devolved functions, finances and functionaries for planning of rural areas in India. Discuss the major achievements with examples. [2024/15m/7b]
Can the Panchayat Raj institutions play a role in grassroot level planning in India? If yes, discuss how. [2022/10m/150w/5b]
Critically examine how Panchayati Raj system is catalyst in decentralized planning in India. [2021/20m/7a]
The success of Panchayati Raj depends upon meaningful participation of people at grassroot level. Examine. [2020/10m/150w/5a]
Examine the role of people’s participation in successful decentralised planning in India. [2018/10m/150w/5d]
“An effective three-tier Panchayat Raj System will strengthen the bottom-up approach to multilevel planning in India.” Explain. [2017/20m/3a]
Decentralized planning through the strengthening of the Panchayat system is the focus of planning in India in recent times. Suggest a blueprint for an integrated regional development plan. [2015/20m/6a]
Discuss the concept of multi-level planning as practised in India, and explain the implications of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in this respect. [2015/20m/8a]
Critically examine the Panchayati Raj setup. [2007/20m/200w/5d]
Discuss Panchayati Raj as a measure of decentralized planning in India. [2005/20m/200w/5d]
Give a reasoned account of regional disparities in economic development in India and bring out the contribution of decentralized planning in solving this problem. [2002/60m/8]
Explain the concept of multi-level planning in India. [2000/20m/200w/5a]
Nature and utility of multi-level planning in India. (Short note) [1999/20m/R3]
Evaluate the benefits of Block Level development planning in India. [1997/20m/200w/5d]
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View the BookDownload Free Sample8.4] Command area development; watershed management
10 questions
“Watershed is the most appropriate spatial unit for planning.” Comment. [2025/10m/5c]
Critically examine the ecological and economic impact of Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area development. [2023/15m/7c]
Discuss the role of watershed management for soil and water conservation in hilly regions of India. [2021/10m/150w/5c]
Discuss the Command Area Development Programme and its impact on eliminating regional inequalities in India. [2021/15m/8b]
Discuss how watershed management has become a tool in eradication of rural poverty in India. [2019/15m/2c]
Discuss the relationship of watershed approach to village level planning. (In about 150 words) [2015/10m/150w/1d]
Discuss the concept of Command Area Development and evaluate its success with reference to Indira Gandhi Canal. [2014/15m/8b]
Discuss the problems and Prospects of development of catchment and command areas. [2008/60m/8]
Explain the concept of Command Area Development in respect of Multi-Purpose Projects of India. [2003/20m/200w/5b]
Explain the concept of watershed and its utility in land management. [2001/60m/7]
8.5] Planning for backward, desert, drought-prone, hill and tribal area development
17 questions
Soil and water conservation are the major challenges in the development of hill areas of India. Explain. [2026/15m/6b]
In spite of various tribal area development programmes in India, tribal areas still lag behind. Discuss critically with examples. [2024/15m/4b]
Describe the area-specific strategies for the development of drought-prone areas in India. [2024/10m/150w/5d]
Why do disparities in development and incomes between regions persist in large countries like India? How does the recent ADP plan address the issue? [2022/20m/6a]
Identifying areas covered under tribal sub-plan, discuss the programmes initiated to address their problems. [2020/20m/2a]
What kind of skill promotion programmes have been initiated for job deficient regions in India? Explain. [2020/15m/8c]
Assess the importance of foot-loose industries in the development of backward regions in India. [2019/10m/150w/5d]
Explain the role of ‘Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme’ in reducing regional imbalances in areas identified by the Government of India. [2017/10m/150w/5a]
Is planning for a cluster of villages a viable option, when planning for backward areas of the country? Discuss with suitable examples. [2015/15m/6c]
Evaluate the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme. [2014/15m/6c]
How can a meaningful skill development programme contribute to the economic growth of hill areas? [2014/20m/7a]
Planning and development of ‘Tribal Regions’ in India. [2013/10m/150w/5d]
Elucidate the role of Tribal Development Blocks in the development of Tribal areas. [2012/20m/200w/8c]
Identify the drought-prone areas of India and discuss the measures of their development. [2003/20m/200w/5c]
Discuss the programmes and policy of development of dry areas in India. [2003/60m/6]
Elucidate the role of Tribal Development Blocks in development of Tribal areas. [2002/20m/200w/5d]
Explain the salient features of the tribal development programme with particular reference to either Dandakaranya or Chotanagpur. [1996/60m/8]
8.6] Regional planning and development of island territories
6 questions
Critically examine the strategic, economic and ecological impacts of the proposed ‘Great Nicobar Project’. [2026/20m/8a]
With reference to typical examples, assess why regional planning in India is important for island territories for their sustainable development. [2025/15m/8b]
Assess the ecotourism potential of Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep islands and highlight the challenges associated with the sustainable development of island territories. [2023/15m/8b]
Discuss the strategies of integrated development of island territories in India. [2018/15m/6b]
Indian island territories are vulnerable to the sea level rise. Explain. [2015/15m/7c]
Examine the resources of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [1998/20m/200w/1c]
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Last updated: 30 October 2026